(CNN) –- A pastor of a mega church in Dallas said Friday that Republicans shouldn't vote for White House hopeful Mitt Romney because he's a Mormon and described the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a "cult."

"I think Mitt Romney's a good, moral man, but those of us who are born again followers of Christ should prefer a competent Christian," said Robert Jeffress, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Dallas, which has a congregation of about 10,000.

"That's why I'm enthusiastic about Perry," Jeffress said, later adding: "I again believe that as Christian, we have the duty to select Christians as our leaders…Between a Rick Perry and a Mitt Romney, I believe evangelicals need to go with Rick Perry."

This isn't the first time the Dallas pastor has hit Romney over his religion. During the 2008 campaign, he made similar comments.

soundoff(210 Responses)

Thank You, CNN, for posting a detailed accounting of Mitt Romney's participation in his church. In the process I also followed a link to a Mormon women's magazine that was quite enlightening as well.

My thoughts on Romney's religious choice is coupled with a concern about his feelings towards women's rights, so maybe CNN visitors will follow up by reading and learning for themselves how they might feel about having a Mormon for president.

BUT – Obama is a MUSLIM, said so himself – Quit all this rediculous argument and put a man in office tha can
bring the county back to where it should be.

October 11, 2011 at 3:14 am |

Brian

Rather than not voting for Romney, the reason to not vote Republican is that they always insert religion into politics. I don't care whether Romney's Mormon, protestant, Jewish, Muslim or atheist. As Thomas Jefferson said, "But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." it's time to get religion out of politics.

October 11, 2011 at 12:50 am |

Ed Silver

Does the tax status for a church change when it becomes actively engaged in politics?

October 11, 2011 at 12:23 am |

Mirosal

Yes it can change. They are prohibited under federal law from actively endorsing or anti-endorsing ANY candidate for ANY office. As an individual, one can say what he/she wants. But if they are speaking for their church or congregation, they risk losing their tax-exepmt status altogether.

October 11, 2011 at 3:55 am |

Cleunice

I actually was going to put the word pastmagirt v. idealist but thought that was too much of a give-away.HP I used to work for a corrupt politician. He'll be sentenced either in June or July. Dan Mickey Mouse is maybe the best example of an idealist in the cartoon world. Dan #23 Yup, their absolutism is what turns me off. But at the same time, you see a lot of people who are hardline on their positions on both sides of the parties ..and its creeping closer to the middle of the parties every year.

October 7, 2012 at 7:33 pm |

Charlynn

Definition of CHRISTIAN (according to the meriam websters dictionary)

1a : one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ

...hmmm The church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints.
I'm going to say that Mormon's probably profess a believe in Jesus Christ...
Atleast the Church's official site says they do...
Mormon.org

October 10, 2011 at 7:37 pm |

Reality

To the nitty-gritty and putting an end to religion and Gilgoff and Marrapodi's jobs in less than 110 words:

• There probably was no Abraham i.e. the foundations of Judaism, Christianity and Islam are non-existent.

• There was probably was no Moses i.e the pillars of Judaism, Christianity and Islam have no strength of purpose.

• There was no Gabriel i.e. Islam fails as a religion. Christianity partially fails.

• There was no Easter i.e. Christianity completely fails as a religion.

• There was no Moroni i.e. Mormonism is nothing more than a business cult.

While the back and forth of the commentators has been interesting, a key point of Pastor Jeffress has been overlooked. Pastor Jeffress stated that the Southern Baptist Convention has branded the Mormon church as a cult. They have their reasons for making such a claim based on their theology. The absence of the recognition of the trinity, The use of the Book of Morman on virtually equal status with the bible. The secretive nature of services in their Temples. These and the baptism of Jewish victims of the holocaust have given the Baptists sound reasons for making thier assertions.

Actually the real concern of Southern Baptists and other evangelicals is that a Mormon President would naturally draw many Americans to his faith. Some would be curious and would be then captured by the faith because of many of the Mormons' fine and sound family values. That would include some who are Southern Baptists. Actually, there has been a high number of former Southern Baptists that have been converted to the Mormon Church, much to the concern of leadership of the Southern Baptist Convention.

October 10, 2011 at 2:54 pm |

Dave Redding

This belief in "God" is a bunch of nonsense.

October 11, 2011 at 12:11 am |

HotAirAce

So this is all about market share? You might be right!

October 11, 2011 at 12:13 am |

GetReal

I was a Mormon and they WILL convert every one of you Baptist heathens.......God I love religious people. They fight, curse and, worry over other religious fantasies that clash with their own religious fantasy. "NO, Your version of Cinderella is Wrong, Mine is Right!!" Until the big guy comes down and chooses a side, its a pretty neutral field. Until then keep the hate going!

The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.